Three teams open regional play tonight

Tuesday

Mar 5, 2013 at 9:00 AM

By Ed Patinoed.patino@hillsdale.netHILLSDALE — Three local teams survived a wild first week of the girls basketball playoffs. Two more can potentially see their seasons continue into next week.The regional round as arrived, and Hillsdale County will be well represented this week. Coming off a thrilling run to a district title, Reading will play in the Class C regional tournament in Bronson. Meanwhile, Hillsdale Academy and Pittsford will renew acquaintances in the Class D regional tournament at Mendon.The regional semifinals take place tonight, with the finals set for Thursday evening.Class D regional at MendonHillsdale Academy (21-1) rolled to a district championship last week at North Adams-Jerome. After defeating the host Rams in the semifinal, the Colts secured the district crown with a 43-21 victory over Litchfield."We're happy to be playing into the second week of the tournament," Hillsdale Academy coach Kevin Reed said. "But now we've got to be even better this week."Pittsford (16-5) defeated Camden-Frontier and Lenawee Christian on its own floor en route to a district title, the first for the program since 2000. Now the Wildcats will face Southern Central Athletic Association champion Hillsdale Academy in tonight's regional semifinal game."Our seniors told me that they hadn't won a playoff game in any sport, so it's exciting to be district champs," Pittsford coach Chris Hodos said. "The girls came out ready to play. They seem to be loose but they also realize that now it's big-time basketball."The teams met twice in the regular season, with Hillsdale Academy winning both times. Despite their success early on, the Colts are expecting a big challenge from Pittsford."They're capable of having someone with a double-double each night, so we have to stop their inside game," Reed said. "But they also have strong outside shooters that present trouble. (Pittsford) is very balanced."The Wildcats are looking to slow down standout senior Elyse Lisznyai along with the rest of the Colts' strong offensive attack."Elyse is super fast and might be the best on-ball defender we've faced, and she can change a game," Hodos said. "They are well coached and Kevin runs lots of good stuff."The court itself could also play a role tonight. Mendon's court is the college level 94 feet, a 10-foot difference from both Pittsford's and Hillsdale Academy's gyms.The winner of tonight's game will face either Athens or St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran in Thursday's regional final.Class C regional at BronsonReading (14-9) made a big statement last week in capturing its district title at Centreville. After opening with a 34-30 victory over Schoolcraft, the Rangers topped Big Eight Conference rival Quincy in the semifinal. Reading secured the district title with a 45-34 victory over Bronson."It's exciting for the girls and they'll be ready to play hard," Reading coach Ryan Mulnix said. "Hopefully they're not satisfied with just winning districts."The Rangers will be facing the unknown this week, beginning with tonight's semifinal game against Hartford. The winner will face either Niles Brandywine or Decatur in Thursday's championship game. Reading did not play any of the three teams this season."Hartford as a couple of taller girls, one in the post and the other is a slasher," Mulnix said. "They're guards are similar to what we saw from Homer. We feel our tough schedule helped us for this time, and our defense has kept us in games."